There was also published “The Cloyster in Bartholomew Fair; or, The Town-Mistress Disguis’d.” London, Printed for A. Bancks, near Fleet Street. A Poem. 8vo. 8 leaves.
Limiting the Duration of the Fair.—1708. On the 2nd June this year the Court of Common Council passed the following resolution:—
This Court taking notice that the Fair of St. Bartholomew according to the original Grant thereof, ought to be holden annually three days and no longer. And that by Continuing the said Fair to Fourteen days, as of late hath been practised, and the erecting and setting up Booths in Smithfield of extraordinary largeness not occupied by dealers in Goods, merchandises, &c., proper for a fair; but used chiefly for Stage-plays, Musick and Tipling (being so many receptacles of vicious and disorderly Persons) Lewdness and Debauchery have apparently increased, Tumults and Disorders frequently arisen, and the Traffick of the said Fair, by the Traders and Fair-keepers resorting thereto, greatly interrupted and diminished. After long debate, and serious consideration had of the same, and being desirous to put a Stop (so far as in them lies) to the further spreading of Wickedness and Vice, to preserve the Peace of Her Majesty’s Subjects, and restore the said Fair to its primitive Institution, and the Traders resorting thither to the full enjoyment of their Trades, without any hindrance or obstruction. And this Court being of opinion, that no ways will be so effectual for the end aforesaid as reducing the said Fair to its ancient time of continuance, doth unanimously resolve, and so Order that for the future, the said Fair shall be kept Three days only, and no longer (that is to say) on the Eve of St. Bartholomew, that Day and the Morrow after being the 23rd, 24th and 25 days of August, of which all persons concerned are to take Notice and Govern themselves accordingly. See 1750.
On the 3rd July, same year, the Common Council considered certain strong petitions for the revocation of this Order. The result is seen in the following announcement, which appeared in the “Gazette” of 2nd August:—
The Committee for letting the City’s Land in the Account of the Chamberlain of the City of London give notice, That the Fair, commonly call’d Bartholomew Fair, annually held in West Smithfield in London is from henceforth to be held three Days and no longer [days specified] and that the said Committee will sit every Wednesday at three of the Clock in the afternoon, to Lett and Dispose of the Ground in West Smithfield, to persons resorting to the said Fair; of which more particular information may be had at the Comptroler’s Office in the Guildhall of the said City.
Same year a person did penance in the Chapter House of St. Paul’s for publicly showing in the Fair a Blow-Book in which were many filthy and obscene pictures. The book was likewise burned, and the offender paid the costs.
The first travelling menagerie seems now to have appeared in this fair, and attracted considerable attention. It stood near the hospital gate. “Sir Hans Sloane cannot be supposed to have missed such an opportunity of studying animals little known, as he is said to have constantly visited the fair for that purpose, and to have retained the services of a draughtsman for their representation.” (Frost.)
It may be noted that wild beasts had been kept at the Tower certainly from 1253 downwards.
1709. There was published “Bart’lemy Fair: or an Enquiry after Wit; in which due Respect is had to a Letter concerning Enthusiasm, To my Lord —. By Mr. Wotton. London Printed for R. Wilkin, at the King’s Head in St. Paul’s Church-Yard.” This 8vo. pamphlet of 175 pages contains no reference to the fair, and probably only took its title from reference to the disputations there conducted, and of which I have spoken.
1710. There was a curious half-sheet octavo tract, printed this year, entitled “The Wonders of England, containing Dogget and Penkethman’s Dialogue with Old Nick, on the suppression of Bartholomew Fair in Smithfield.” The title enumerates several other strange and wonderful matters, as being contained in the book, but, like the showman’s painted cloths in the fair, pictures monsters not visible within; so there is not a line in the tract respecting the suppression of the fair. Yet